Retractable Reeled Tape and Control Mechanism Therefor

ABSTRACT

A control mechanism for a retractable reeled tape comprising tape wound on a rotatably mounted spindle so as to be retractably deployable therefrom to selected lengths, said control mechanism comprising: a pawl and tooth arrangement bearing on the spindle such as, when engaged, to permit rotation of the spindle in a direction whereby tape is wound onto the spindle, but to obstruct rotation of the spindle in a direction whereby tape is unwound therefrom; and a clutch mechanism operable to disengage the pawl such that, with the pawl so disengaged, the spindle is free to rotate in either direction. A barrier tape dispenser incorporating such a control mechanism, a tape barrier system comprising multiple such dispensers, and a temporary barrier incorporating such dispensers on suitable uprights, are also described.

The invention relates to a retractable tape, belt or the like of the type deployed from a reel, for example to serve as a temporary barrier, and specifically relates to a control mechanism for such a tape or the like to control and selectively lock a partially unreeled belt, and to a reeled tape including such a control mechanism. The invention also relates to a method of deploying such a tape or the like, in particular as a temporary barrier.

Barriers using retractable tape are known. The barrier typically comprises a rotating reel, bobbin or spindle (as a tape storage means), for example at the top of an upright, which holds a length of tape wound thereon in a stored configuration, but which can be extended by unwinding tape from the reel and then secured to another similar barrier unit. The advantage of such products is whilst such a barrier will have a maximum extension to the limit of the tape stored on the spindle it confers flexibility in that if the extension required to reach the next post is less than full extension the excess will remain stored neatly on the spindle.

Barriers put together from such units have found wide application in indoor situations, for example where there is a need to put in place a temporary system to control crowds, in particular to regulate queuing, control access etc.

These barriers all use a tape, belt or the like mounted on a rotating reel or spindle. The rotating reel or spindle is usually provided with a biasing spring to tend to urge the system into a reeled configuration. When the tape is extended from the barrier the extension takes place against the pull of a constant force or clock spring. The spring is usually rated to provide just sufficient force to rewind the tape and to keep the tape taut under normal conditions.

As such barriers are normally free standing i.e. not secured to the ground it is important that the spring is not excessively strong otherwise it would be impossible to extend the tape—the barrier would be dragged along the ground.

More recently this type of retractable tape barrier has been applied to outdoor situations where the product is exposed to weather and wind. A particular example of such an application can be found in UK Patent 2387406. In windy conditions the extended tape is subjected to force from the wind and if the tape is not already fully extended this would tend to make the tape billow and increase the length extended from the unit.

This has a number of undesirable effects on the performance of the unit as a barrier. The force that the wind exerts on the barrier is proportional to the length of the tape extended form the barrier, and a sufficiently strong wind will tend to fully extend the tape. If the distance between barriers as originally deployed is less than full extension of the tape then the tape will billow. Not only is this generally undesirable, but it leads to a further deleterious effect. As the unit is intended to provide a visual barrier, effectiveness relies on the tape remaining taught and upright. This way an observer can see the side of the tape which is selected to be of sufficient depth to create a visual barrier. If the wind catches the tape in the way described then it will tend to flatten and will tend to present in profile, appearing significantly less than the desired depth, and hence being less visibly effective as a barrier.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a control mechanism for a reeled tape, a reeled tape including such a control mechanism, and a method of deploying such a tape, which mitigates some or all of the above disadvantages. It is a particular object of the invention to provide a control mechanism, tape and method which is more suitable to the deployment of the tape as a temporary barrier in outside situations.

It is a particular object of the invention to provide a control mechanism, tape and method which reduces the tendency for tape deployed, in particular at less than its fullest extent, to billow in the wind.

In accordance with the invention in a first aspect at its broadest conception a control mechanism is provided for a retractable reeled tape comprising tape wound on a rotatably mounted spindle so as to be retractably deployable therefrom to selected lengths, said control mechanism comprising: a pawl and tooth arrangement bearing on the spindle such as, when engaged, to permit rotation of the spindle in a direction whereby tape is wound onto the spindle, but to obstruct rotation of the spindle in a direction whereby tape is unwound therefrom; and a clutch mechanism operable to disengage the pawl such that, with the pawl so disengaged, the spindle is free to rotate in either direction.

The pawl and tooth, when engaged, create a one-way, ratchet-type lock mechanism. It is intended that the pawl and tooth will be engaged when tape is deployed, for example as a temporary barrier. In this way, with the mechanism engaged the tape will continue to be retractable but the spindle is locked against rotation in the other direction preventing the tape from spooling out.

Restowage of the tape by retraction onto the spindle might at its simplest involve manual rotation of the spindle to in a suitable direction to rewind the tape for example by provision of an externally accessible winding handle or other means. Conveniently however, the mechanism additionally comprises means for biasing tape wound on the spindle to a stowed (ie wound) position. In particular, for example, the means for biasing the tape to a stowed position comprises spring biasing means acting on the spindle to tend to urge the spindle to rotate in a direction which would tend to rewind the tape. This has three advantages in particular. First, it simplifies the rewinding process after use. Second, it maintains the dispensed tape in tension in use so that the material of the tape need not have significant rigidity to comprise an effective generally horizontal barrier between two cones, other uprights or other mounting sites. Third, it tends to draw tape back into tension when it has been stretched in use, for example by the wind. When a tape reel system incorporating such a mechanism is deployed in use the spring will therefore retract any slack in the tape when the wind slackens but the ratchet lock will prevent the tape from spooling out and billowing in the wind

The clutch is operable by a user, for example being mechanically coupled to an externally accessible actuation means such as a button, to disengage the pawl from the tooth arrangement when it is desired to unwind tape, for example to deploy as a temporary barrier.

A control mechanism in accordance with the invention provides an effective solution to the problem presented, in external use in particular, of preventing a tape deployed to an extension of less than its full extension from billowing in the wind, and as a result from failing to present a full visual side profile for optimum effect. The invention solves the problem in particular without necessitating any increase in the strength of the spring that biases the tape into a rewound configuration. Such an alternative solution to limit the effects of billowing is not generally suitable, and is a particular problem for free-standing temporary barriers, which are not themselves fixed to the floor, since the excessive force in such an increased spring bias could adversely effect stability. By contrast, in accordance with the present invention, the tooth and pawl arrangement acts as a simple but effective locking mechanism to act against further extension of the tape once the mechanism is engaged.

The clutch mechanism is susceptible of very simple operation. In particular, it comprises a mechanically coupled device such as a button or the like, which is easy to operate whilst the tape is being deployed. The clutch is then disengaged causing the pawl to be urged into mechanical co-operation with the tooth arrangement, and acting directly on the spindle to obstruct, limit or prevent further tape deployment.

The invention is considered to encompass any arrangement of tooth and pawl which provides the required uni-directional locking feature when co-engaged by operation of the clutch mechanism. In a convenient arrangement, one of the tooth or pawl is in a fixed arrangement relative to or otherwise rotates with the spindle, and the other is stationary relative to the rotating spindle, for example being fixed to any mounting, housing or the like in or about which the spindle rotates. For example, the toothed arrangement rotates with the spindle.

In a particularly convenient embodiment, the toothed arrangement comprises a plurality of teeth disposed circumferentially around the spindle, for example in an arc therearound and most preferably substantially completely therearound. For example, the multiple teeth are disposed at the circumferential edge of a toothed member comprising a generally planar disc, in the manner of a toothed gear wheel. This arrangement allows a single pawl, which is mountable to be retained in a fixed position as the spindle rotates and the toothed arrangement rotates therewith, being mounted for example on a holder or casing as above. However, the invention is not limited to this preferred arrangement. Any suitable arrangement of teeth, and any suitable arrangement and number of pawls, to effect the uni-directional ratchet-like motion in accordance with the invention could be considered.

In the preferred embodiment, the teeth are circumferentially disposed around a disc-like toothed member which is in fixed relationship with the spindle to rotate therewith. Circumstances can be envisaged where an alternative relationship might be desirable, involving some more complex mechanical coupling, for example through a gearing arrangement, between the rotating spindle and the consequently rotating toothed member.

The circumferentially toothed portion of the toothed member preferably comprises a circumferential array of evenly spaced identical detents suitably shaped to engage with a forward projection on a pawl in familiar manner so as to permit rotation in the first direction whereby tape is rewound, but not in the second whereby tape is unwound.

Again in familiar manner, the pawl conveniently comprises a pivotally mounted elongate member, so configured relative to the detents as to effect a rigid locking mechanical engagement when rotation is in the said second direction, but as to pivot free of each successive detent and allow rotation in the said first direction.

The clutch mechanism may conveniently comprise additional means to act mechanically on this pivot, and to pivot the said elongate pawl into a permanently open position free of engagement with the toothed arrangement.

In a further aspect, the invention forms part of a barrier tape dispenser comprising a tape cartridge hollow to define a tape storage cavity, a spindle rotatably mounted in the tape storage cavity having tape wound thereon, a deploying aperture in the tape cartridge through which at least a leading edge of tape projects externally, to allow the tape in use to be dispensed therefrom by unwinding from the spindle, one or more receiving means on the tape cartridge to engagingly receive a leading edge of tape from another like cartridge in use, and a control mechanism as hereinbefore defined in mechanical association with the spindle.

The pawl is therefore preferably provided in mechanical association with the housing, and in particular is an elongate member pivotally mounted thereon so as to engage with detents in the manner above described and selectively lock the spindle against rotation in the unwinding direction only.

Actuation means to enable operation of the clutch by the user are preferably also provided on the casing, for example in the form of a button or the like mechanically coupled to and acting to disengage the pawl, and in the particularly preferred embodiment to pivot the pawl into an open position as above described.

The tape is of any flexibly resilient elongate material suitable for winding onto and off the spindle. Optionally, the tape comprises an elongate flexible strip, a rope or a cord. Conveniently, the tape comprises an elongate thin flexible strip of material, for example of plastics sheet material or woven or non-woven fabric material. The width of the material is determined by the need for flexibility and the given application, but is likely to be in the range 20 to 100 mm or thereabouts. The length of the material is determined by likely desired lengths between two mounting points in a barrier, and by the storage capacity of the cartridge.

The tape is preferably comprised of material and/or provided with a surface pattern or surface layer of material incorporating suitable hazard warning markings or information, for example in alphanumeric form, in the form of brightly coloured stripes, chevrons or the like. Preferably, the tape comprises or incorporates a reflective surfaced material so as to be readily illuminated by reflection for safety at night.

The tape may also be fabricated from material and/or surface treated for weather resistance etc.

To further alleviate problems which might be associated with strong winds, the tape can be perforated/reticulated, especially where the tape is relatively wide.

The tape dispenser cartridge may be provided with an upright on which it can be deployed, either or both of which may incorporate a means for height adjustment, whereby the height at which a tape dispensing portion of the cartridge seats in use can be varied. The means for height adjustment may comprise mutually telescoping or folding portions and/or detachable extending portions to raise the height of the dispensing part of the cartridge away from ground level.

The spindle is rotatably mounted, especially such as to seat generally above a vertical axis midline of an upright, and in particular where the upright has rotational symmetry about a vertical axis, to seat generally above that in use to give enhanced stability. One end of the tape is fixedly mounted to the spindle, and the tape is wound thereon such that another free end of the tape is able to protrude through the deploying aperture for dispensing.

The tape leading edge is preferably provided with a stopper, suitably sized and shaped to engage against the deploying aperture as the tape is withdrawn to prevent the leading edge from being drawn entirely back into the cavity and facilitate future dispensing.

The tape leading edge preferably has a connecting portion to be engagingly received in the receiving means of a second cartridge or other like device in use to form a barrier portion. Preferably, the connecting portion is a rigid projecting portion, and the receiving means comprises an apertured receiving means. Conveniently, the connecting portion and the stopper may be provided by the same component. For example, the leading edge of the tape may comprise a rigid end rod suitably sized to be unable to fit through the dispensing aperture, and suitably shaped to engage with a co-operating apertured portion comprising the receiving portion of a cartridge.

Preferably, a plurality of receiving means are provided disposed radially at several angles around the cartridge. This allows construction of adjacent barrier sections at a plurality of different angles, and allows construction of complete barriers of complex shape.

Conveniently, the deploying aperture incorporates means to clean the surface(s) of the tape as it is wound/rewound onto the spindle after use. For example, close fitting brushes may be provided which bear upon a surface or surfaces of the tape as it is withdrawn, to brush off accumulated dirt or the like so that this is not drawn into the cartridge when the tape is stowed.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the barrier tape dispenser is provided for external use, and most preferably is adapted for use as an external safety barrier, and for example as an external road traffic safety barrier, such as is described in UK Patent 2387406.

In this preferred embodiment, a barrier tape dispenser is provided suitable for mounting on a road traffic control upright to form a temporary traffic barrier comprising a tape cartridge as above described, the cartridge having a tubular portion shaped to co-operably engage with an uppermost, in use, part of a road traffic control upright, which tubular portion comprises flexibly resilient material and/or is slotted such as to be resiliently deformable as the cartridge is pushed onto the upper portion of the upright to effect the interference fit.

Thus, for use, the cartridge is mounted generally above a road traffic cone or other upright. Tape is unwound from the spindle within the cartridge and pulled out through the deploying aperture. To complete a barrier, a second tape cartridge is mounted upon a second upright, or a terminating mounting of equivalent configuration is otherwise provided at a second remote site. The leading edge of tape dispensed from the first cartridge is received and engaged upon a receiving means provided on the second cartridge or by the mounting. Large barriers of complex shape can be constructed using multiple cartridges and multiple uprights. The clutch lock mechanism is particularly suited to this external mode of use.

The tape cartridge in this embodiment engages above a road traffic cone or other traffic control upright by means of the mounting means associated with a lower part thereof. The mounting means are adapted to engage on or about the uppermost part of the road traffic upright, and in particular on or about the apex of a road traffic cone or the like in interference fit. The mounting means comprise a tubular lower portion of suitable shape to co-operably engage with the upright, for example a cylindrical lower portion to engage with an upright with an upper portion of circular cross section. The tubular lower portion comprises flexibly resilient material and/or is slotted such as to be resiliently deformable as the cartridge is pushed onto the upper portion of the upright to effect the interference fit.

It is preferable if the mounting means are adapted for engagement on or around the apex of a road traffic cone of conventional design, so that the device can be fitted to existing cones and does not require especially co-operably manufactured cone designs. In this regard it will be understood that a reference to a cone is a reference to a temporary and portable structure for placement on a roadway comprising generally a stable ground engaging portion, which may be an integral platform portion, a separable stand, or means to engage temporarily in to the road surface itself, and a generally upright portion. The generally upright portion may or may not be generally tapering, and may or may not taper in a mathematically conical manner. For example, truncated conical, generally pyramidal or truncated pyramidal or cylindrical shapes will be familiar.

According to the present invention in a third aspect there is provided a tape barrier system comprising a plurality of tape cartridges as hereinbefore described, optionally further provided with a plurality of uprights suitable for deployment as temporary barrier uprights, and suitable mounting means for mounting the cartridges on the said uprights.

According to the present invention in a fourth aspect there is provided a temporary barrier comprising at least one upright on at least one of which is mounted a barrier tape dispenser as hereinbefore described, with tape deployed therefrom extending to a receiving means on another barrier tape dispenser and/or an equivalent receiving means on an alternative fixed, in use, location, and in a preferred embodiment (that is, in an embodiment comprising a plurality of uprights and barrier tape dispensers) extending between at least some of the said dispensers. Optionally, the mounting sites created by one or more such barrier tape dispensers may be replaced by one or more terminating mountings of equivalent configuration for fixing to other fixed, in use, structures.

According to the present invention in a fifth aspect there is provided a method of forming a barrier, and in particular a temporary deployable barrier, which comprises the steps of: disposing at least one, and in a preferred embodiment a plurality of suitable uprights so as to delineate the line of the barrier, mounting barrier tape dispensers as hereinbefore described on or about an uppermost part of the said uprights; dispensing tape from at least one such barrier tape dispenser; engaging the leading edge of the dispensed tape from the at least one such barrier tape dispenser to a receiving means on another such barrier tape dispenser and/or to an equivalent receiving means on an alternative, fixed in use, location.

In the preferred embodiment, a plurality of uprights and barrier tape dispensers make up a barrier. However, as above, one or more terminating mounting units on suitable fixed structures can take the place of dispensers. In this case, in a preferred embodiment of the method, at least one terminating mounting unit is provided adapted for mounting on a fixed structure, provided with a receiving means identical to the receiving means on the cartridge(s) of the barrier tape dispensers, and the method includes engaging the leading edge of the dispensed tape from at least one of the said barrier tape dispensers to the receiving means on such a terminating mounting unit.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a partially cut away view of a cartridge suitable for use with a mechanism in accordance with the invention with the tape undeployed;

FIG. 2 is a view of the cartridge of FIG. 1 with the top removed to illustrate the control mechanism of the invention;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a barrier formed by the cartridges of an embodiment of the invention in a preferred use deployed as a temporary road traffic barrier.

Referring first to FIG. 1, a cartridge (1) is shown consisting of a moulding of suitable high impact plastics material such as polypropylene. The cartridge (1) is of generally cylindrical cross section, defining a tape storage cavity (3).

Within the tape storage cavity (3) is mounted a vertical cylindrical spindle (5), which is mounted for rotation relative to the cartridge (1) about an axis generally coaxial with the cylinder comprising the cartridge (1).

Shown in an undispensed configuration wound around the spindle (5) is a length of tape (7) comprising PVC with a reflective surface and a suitable alarm marking material consisting of alternate red and white chevrons (9 a, 9 b). A distal end of the tape is provided with a rigid plastic rod like portion (11) which, as will be seen from later drawings, serves both to prevent the tape being drawn wholly back into the cartridge even when the clutch is operated to disconnect the pawl and to effect connection of the tape when deployed with another like cartridge.

The tape dispenser is biased to the stowed configuration by means of a spring biasing means (not shown) acting on the spindle (5) and tending to urge it in a clockwise direction when viewed from above in this instance, such as to tend to urge the tape to be rewound.

A lower hollow cylindrical portion (8) allows the cartridge to be retained on a cone in use. The cartridge is pushed onto the apex of a suitable upright and retained by an interference fit.

FIG. 2 illustrates the mechanism in detail. Mounted around the top of the spindle (5) can be seen a toothed gear wheel (10) provided with a plurality of circumferentially disposed and evenly spaced detents (11) providing tooth recesses (12) to receive the distal end of a pawl.

The pawl (13) comprises a generally elongate portion (14), and is shown with the clutch mechanism operated to take it out of engagement, so that free rotation of the spindle (5) is permitted.

Operation of the clutch mechanism via the button (16) brings the pawl back into a position where it is able to engage with the toothed recesses. The pawl is engaged against a support (18) in such a manner that it is able to pivot about the pivot point (19). The teeth are so profiled that when the distal end of the pawl is in engagement in a toothed recess and the spindle is urged to rotate in an anticlockwise direction (the direction which in the embodiment corresponds to unwinding of the tape) the pawl is urged more forcefully against its support and forms a lock. However, if the spindle is urged to turn in a clockwise direction, the distal end of the pawl rocks about the pivot, free of the tooth, and the spindle is able to rotate.

Such a tooth and pawl ratchet-like arrangement will be familiar. A rotary tooth and pawl mechanism is particularly suited to the tape dispenser of the present invention, given the presence of the rotating spindle, but other tooth and pawl arrangements to provide for the necessary uni-directional locking when configured for engagement could be considered.

In FIG. 3, a plurality of devices in accordance with this embodiment of the invention are shown engaged upon a series of road cones (25) to form a barrier. It can be seen that in accordance with the invention intermediate cones may be dispensed with, making the barrier easier and cheaper to deploy. The tape provides an excellent barrier material, suitable for delineating the area around which the barrier is placed with enhanced safety, good visibility and ease of deployability.

The uni-directional locking mechanism of the present invention is particularly suited to application to a tape dispenser for an external use such as this. Conventional tape dispensers, relying at most on a degree of spring biasing to prevent excessive play of tape in windy conditions will be much less effective.

Evidently, this spring biasing cannot be particularly strong, since an excessively strong spring would leave the cones (or whatever other supports might be used) unstable in the absence of specific fixings to the ground. However, the mechanism of the present invention acts directly on the spindle to prevent over deployment, and is therefore particularly effective in reducing billowing of tape in application for a temporary external barrier. 

1. A barrier tape dispenser comprising: a tape cartridge, hollow to define a tape storage cavity: a spindle rotatably mounted in the tape storage cavity having tape wound thereon: a deploying aperture in the tape cartridge through which at least a leading edge of tape projects externally, to allow the tape in use to be dispensed therefrom by unwinding from the spindle; one or more receiving means on the tape cartridge to engagingly receive a leading edge of tape from another like cartridge in use, and a control mechanism, said control mechanism comprising, a pawl and tooth arrangement bearing on the spindle such as, when engaged, to permit rotation of the spindle in a direction whereby tape is wound onto the spindle, but to obstruct rotation of the spindle in a direction whereby tape is unwound therefrom; and a clutch mechanism operable to disengage the pawl such that, with the pawl so disengaged, the spindle is free to rotate in either direction.
 2. A barrier tape dispenser in accordance with claim 1 further comprising means for biasing tape wound on the spindle to a stowed, wound position.
 3. A barrier tape dispenser in accordance with claim 2 wherein the means for biasing the tape to a stowed position comprises spring biasing means acting in use on the spindle to tend to urge the spindle to rotate in a direction which would tend to rewind the tape.
 4. A barrier tape dispenser in accordance with claim 1 wherein the clutch mechanism is mechanically coupled to a user accessible actuation means, acting to disengage the pawl from the tooth arrangement.
 5. A barrier tape dispenser in accordance with claim 1 wherein one of the tooth or pawl is in a fixed arrangement relative to or otherwise rotates with the spindle, and the other of the tooth or pawl is stationary relative to the spindle when the spindle rotates.
 6. A barrier tape dispenser in accordance with claim 5 wherein the tooth arrangement rotates with the spindle.
 7. A barrier tape dispenser in accordance with claim 6 wherein the tooth arrangement comprises a plurality of teeth disposed circumferentially around the spindle in an arc there around.
 8. A barrier tape dispenser in accordance with claim 7 wherein multiple teeth are disposed at a circumferential edge of a toothed member comprising a generally planar disc in the manner of a toothed geared wheel.
 9. A barrier tape dispenser in accordance with claim 5 wherein a single pawl is provided, mountable to be retained in a fixed stationary position as the spindle rotates and the tooth arrangement rotates therewith.
 10. A barrier tape dispenser in accordance with claim 1 wherein the tooth arrangement comprises a circumferential array of evenly spaced identical detents suitably shaped to engage with a forward projection on the pawl so as to permit when engaged rotation in a first direction whereby tape is rewound but not in a second direction whereby tape is unwound.
 11. A barrier tape dispenser in accordance with claim 10 wherein the pawl comprises a pivotally mounted elongate member so configured relative to the detents as to effect a rigid locking mechanically engagement when rotation is in the second direction, but has to pivot free of each successive detent and allow rotation in the said first direction.
 12. A barrier tape dispenser in accordance with claim 11 wherein the clutch mechanism comprises means to act mechanically on the elongate member, and to pivot the said elongate member into a permanently open position free of engagement with the tooth arrangement.
 13. (canceled)
 14. A barrier tape dispenser in accordance with claim 1 wherein the leading edge of the tape has a connecting portion to be engagingly received in complimentary receiving means of a second cartridge or other like device in use to form a barrier portion.
 15. A barrier tape dispenser in accordance with claim 14 wherein the connecting portion is a rigid projecting portion and the receiving means comprises an apertured receiving means.
 16. A barrier tape dispenser in accordance with claim 1 wherein a plurality of receiving means are provided disposed radially at several angles around the cartridge.
 17. A barrier tape dispenser in accordance with claim 1, wherein the barrier tape dispenser is operable to be mounted on a road traffic control upright to form a temporary traffic barrier, wherein the cartridge has a tubular portion shaped to co-operably engaged with an uppermost, in use part of a road traffic control upright in an interference fit.
 18. A tape barrier system comprising a plurality of barrier tape dispensers in accordance with claim
 1. 19. A temporary barrier comprising at least one upright on which is mounted a barrier tape dispenser in accordance with claim 1, with tape deployed therefrom extending to a receiving means on another barrier tape dispenser and/or an equivalent receiving means on an alternative fixed, in use location.
 20. A method of forming a barrier with a barrier tape dispenser comprising a tape cartridge, hollow to define a tape storage cavity; a spindle rotatable mounted in the tape storage cavity having tape wound thereon; a deploying aperture in the tape cartridge through which at least a leading edge of tape projects externally, to allow the tape in use to be dispensed therefrom by unwinding from the spindle; one or more receiving means on the tape cartridge to engagingly receive a leading edge of tape from another like cartridge in use, and a control mechanism, the control mechanism comprising, a pawl and tooth arrangement bearing on the spindle such as, when engaged, to permit rotation of the spindle in a direction whereby tape is wound onto the spindle, but to obstruct rotation of the spindle in a direction whereby tape is unwound therefrom; and a clutch mechanism operable to disengage the pawl such that, with the pawl so disengaged, the spindle is free to rotate in either direction, the method comprising: disposing at least one upright to delineate a line of the barrier; mounting at least one of the barrier tape dispenser on or about an uppermost part of a corresponding one of the least one upright; dispensing tape from the at least one barrier tape dispenser; engaging the leading edge of the dispensed tape from the at least one barrier tape dispenser to a receiving means on another barrier tape dispenser or to a receiving means on an alternative, fixed in use, location. 